Dying Wish : " Flesh Stays Together"

This is the third album from Portland's metalcore mavericks Dying Wish. It starts off more melodic than expected. I am not sure why I have not given these kids a listen before this, but there are so many bands, and only so many hours in the day, but the buzz that this was a darker album caught my ear, and I like what they are doing on the opening track. They are more on the hard-core side of the metal-core equation, even with the way Emma Boster employs sung vocals. It is done in a less formulaic manner than what Killswitch Engage is known for. There is also more emphasis on dishing out beatdowns during the breakdowns. 

"I Know You're Not Around" finds her bleakly melodic singing leading off the mood. This finds a more thrashing tone, grooving things out, and her vocals catch more soar on the chorus, bringing them a little closer to the mainstream. At this point, calling the riffs' breakdown is not accurate, as that is just the pace they chug at even on verses. The only formula developing seems to be Emma starting off the song with singing. These melodic tendencies are allowed to further germinate on " Nothing Like You," which is a wise choice as it creates a darker feel. It also creates a bigger impact when the smackdown falls.

"Surrender Everything " carries a more rock n roll drive similar to Pantera or Lamb of God, though less southern fried. Thanks to the strong hook of " Moments I regret," it might be the album's most accessible moment, while not compromising their hardcore ass kicking. There is a hyper-aggressive riff with a more death metal feel driving "Empty The Chamber". "Heaven Departs" comes a little closer to Spirit Box's zip code, though with none of the nu-metal aspirations. The more melodic track works really well.  All in all, the darker more harder-core blend this band brings sets them apart from the competition while setting them up to play bigger stages for wider audiences without selling out so I will give this one a 9.5 and see how it grows on me.

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